Alumni Go to Japan with Landmark College

July 20, 2015

“It is inspiring how much beauty and artistic features Japanese culture offers.” --Arianna Guirola ‘13

In summer 2015, five Landmark College alumni and nine current students went on a three-week Study Abroad program in Japan to study art and culture. Katie Godowski '12 and Arianna Guirola '13 returned to the College for this trip, and Spring 2015 graduates Eli Moore, Acadia Stevens, and Ben Garrett took the trip as new alumni. This was the College’s first venture to Japan, led by Professional Coach and Academic Advisor Ruth Wilmot and Fine Arts faculty member Christie Herbert. The group spent time in Tokyo and Kyoto, visiting museums, temples, and shrines, and exploring the cities and marketplaces.

Eli Moore '15 and Ben Garrett '15 gather water from the Otowa waterfall at Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto

The practice of making Study Abroad programs available to graduates of the College started because alumni requested it. The most common scenario is for a graduate to attend a trip the summer after commencement; however, some alumni come back semesters later. International Education Director Peg Alden highlighted alumni as role models. She said, “As faculty, we love having alumni, who tend be quite serious about their participation in the program. Alumni set a terrific example for students who may be just starting out.”

“What can I say about this trip?,” blogged Acadia Stevens ’15. “It’s been the most amazing, inspirational, and at times bizarre adventure of my life.” Stevens described making “wonderful friends” and learning more about herself “than I ever thought I would.”

“I love Japan and everything about it—the amazing people and all the different types of food.” --Katie Godowski ‘12, sampling a green soda for breakfast on the trip

Ben Garrett ’15, wrote about seeing concerts and getting to know Tokyo and Kyoto. “This is the best international trip I’ve ever been on,” he said. “It was a gift to be with Christie (Herbert) and Ruth (Wilmot).”

The two faculty leaders reflected on their experiences as well. “What I liked best about this trip was the opportunity to get to know students in-depth,” said Wilmot. “I appreciated having conversations with students day and night, and I was able to give on-the-spot, direct support around executive functioning issues that were coming up all the time.”

“This trip felt like the essence of experiential learning--of being able to immediately apply what we were learning in the classroom to our experiences in Japan,” said Herbert. “Students and alumni were engaged and excited to add to their store of knowledge and understanding.”

Front row, L to R: Isaac Alam, Arianna Guirola '13, Katie Godowski '12, Acadia Stevens '15, Cara Emerson, Connie Geiger

Second row, L to R: Will Grant, Ray Lounsbury, Ruth Wilmot, Emily Motter, Eli Moore '15

Third row, L to R: Ben Winick, Meghan Beaton, Clark Gegler, Ben Garrett '15

Before the Japan program ended, students entered their final blog posts. Adventure, challenge, and personal growth were common themes. 2015 graduate Eli Moore wrote, “I have experienced a lot of new things in the past three weeks. I got lost in the world’s biggest city. Along the way, I grew in ways I honestly thought I couldn’t.”

About Landmark College Study Abroad

Study Abroad is a part of the Office of International Education, directed by Landmark College professor Peg Alden, Ed.D. The College offers five to six Study Abroad programs annually to a student population numbering around 500. Alumni are welcome to apply. Destinations in Summer 2015 included Australia, Japan, Ireland, and an upcoming trip to the Netherlands. Recent past programs include Ghana, the Caribbean, and Chile. Every trip is staffed by Landmark College faculty who are experienced in teaching students who learn differently. To learn more, visit the Landmark College Study Abroad page.